The proposed changes to the way MPs and ministers declare their assets are a “Machiavellian move by the government,” the Green Party said.
In a statement on Saturday, ADPD said the bill presented by the government recently is a regressive move for transparency and accountability.
The bill tabled in parliament on Monday would formally abolish ministerial asset declarations. Instead, all MPs, whether in cabinet or not, will have to fill in an identical declaration.
The new amendments will also remove obligations for MPs to declare properties solely owned by their spouses.
Other aspects of financial and employment reporting have, however, been strengthened.
The proposed code obliges MPs to declare their occupation or profession over the past three years. This three-year retrospective period is new, as the previous declaration only captured an MP’s employment or profession over the previous year.
MPs are also explicitly obliged to declare income generated from professional work and employment, and they must also name their employer.
On Saturday, ADPD chairperson Sandra Gauci criticised the changes.
“To strengthen transparency and accountability, we need to introduce more stringent laws about accumulated unexplained wealth without any further delay. In the past there were attempts to do this, but these have now been shelved. And now we are experiencing the consequences,” she said.
“As a party, ADPD – The Green Party does not agree with this proposal and we promise that, if we are in parliament, we will work on greater scrutiny of members of parliament and ministers. Everyone should be treated equally in the eyes of the law. We will certainly fight against these forms of abuse,” Gauci said.
Gauci was speaking alongside Melissa Bagley, deputy chair of the party.
